No Bake DIY Granola Bars

It’s time to bring back some creativity in the kitchen !

I’m recovering from LASIK eye surgery and also housebound since my entire neighbourhood looks like a skating rink !

So- I’m killing sometime in the kitchen.

I recently met with a dietician and she commented that my nutrition is pretty clean. Happy with the comment, I thought how could I be even “cleaner”.

Snacking is the first area I want to “clean up”.

I love how easy a granola bar is! Before the gym, on the way to work, quickly in the car – these snacks always work.

So I brainstormed some ways as to how I could make my own. I even found an amazing website that allows you to plug in a custom recipe and it will deliver the nutritional value for you ! I’m going to start using this all the time.

I’ve been really into my oats, flax and cranberries. So I tried to combine all this into my homemade granola bars. I’m really happy with the outcome.

Hope you enjoy !

You need:

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp vanilla

1/4 dried cranberries

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/4 cup flaxseed

1/2 cup hemp hearts

4 packs of stevia

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

3/4 cup peanut butter

2 1/2 cup oats

Do this:

In a pot on low heat add coconut oil, vanilla, cranberries (or raisins) and cinnamon.

Let this dissolve then add flax, hemp and stevia. Keep stirring and keep the heat low.

Next add the peanut butter and let everything become liquid. Followed by the almond milk. Any milk would work ! I like almond unsweetened.

Lastly remove from heat and fold in the oats.

Once everything is throughly mixed line a baking dish with tin foil and press the mixture down. Try and get this as even as possible !

Put into freezer for 2 hours.

Remove from freezer and cut your frozen block into bars. This should not freeze solid.

I’m also getting ready for another half marathon the Chilly Half in Burlington ! These will be great for pre or post run fuel.

Makes 16 bars. I store mine in the freezer or fridge.